In Brief (TL;DR)
Discover what VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling are, the technologies that allow you to make high-quality calls using the 4G/5G network or a Wi-Fi connection, even in the absence of a mobile signal.
Find out how these two technologies leverage data networks to improve the quality and coverage of your phone calls.
Make the most of your connection for clear and stable calls wherever you are.
The devil is in the details. 👇 Keep reading to discover the critical steps and practical tips to avoid mistakes.
It has happened to everyone: finding yourself in a place where the mobile signal is weak or absent and urgently needing to make a phone call. Whether in a home basement, within the thick walls of a historic building, or in a rural area, the lack of “reception” can cause quite a few inconveniences. Fortunately, technology offers two innovative solutions to this problem: VoLTE (Voice over LTE) and Wi-Fi Calling (VoWiFi). These technologies, increasingly widespread in Italy and Europe, are revolutionizing the way we communicate, ensuring high-quality calls by leveraging the 4G/5G network and Wi-Fi connections respectively. Let’s discover together how they work and what advantages they bring to our daily lives.
The adoption of these technologies marks an important step in the evolution of telecommunications, combining the tradition of our communication habits with the innovation of modern networks. It is not just a technical improvement, but a concrete response to real needs, such as staying connected everywhere, overcoming the physical barriers that until yesterday limited our reachability. In a context like Italy, rich in ancient villages and architecture that challenges signal penetration, these solutions represent a bridge between the past and the future.
VoLTE: High Definition Calls on the 4G/5G Network
VoLTE, an acronym for Voice over LTE, is a technology that allows voice calls to be made and received using the 4G data network, the same one used for high-speed internet browsing. Unlike in the past, when the smartphone had to switch from the 4G network to 3G or 2G to make a call, with VoLTE the call is managed as a data stream on the most modern network. This brings significant and tangible advantages for the end user. The first and most evident is superior audio quality. Calls are crystal clear, with a sharper voice and a drastic reduction in background noise.
Another fundamental benefit is the ability to browse and call simultaneously without slowdowns. How many times have you had to look up information online during a conversation, noticing a drop in connection speed? With VoLTE, this problem no longer exists, as voice and data travel on the same high-speed channel. Furthermore, call setup times are almost instantaneous, eliminating waiting times. With the progressive decommissioning of 3G networks, VoLTE becomes essential for the future of mobile communications, closely linked to the development of 5G technology.
Wi-Fi Calling: The Revolution of Calls Without Mobile Signal
Wi-Fi Calling, or VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi), is a technology that allows phone calls to be made and received via any Wi-Fi network, whether domestic or public. Its utility is maximized in all those situations where the cellular signal is weak or absent, such as in basements, buildings with thick walls, or isolated geographical areas. In practice, the smartphone connects to the Wi-Fi network to route the call, ensuring excellent coverage even where it was previously impossible to make a call. Everything happens automatically, without the user having to do anything different from dialing the number as usual.
The main advantage is the extension of mobile coverage. Thanks to Wi-Fi Calling, every modem or hotspot becomes a potential antenna for our mobile phone, definitively solving the problem of “dead zones”. Call quality is generally very high, comparable to that of VoLTE, although it depends on the stability of the Wi-Fi network to which you are connected. It is a solution that does not entail additional costs on the phone bill and integrates perfectly with your number. It represents a strategic choice when you have to choose between Wi-Fi and mobile data for your communications.
Key Differences: VoLTE vs Wi-Fi Calling
Although both technologies improve the calling experience, they work on different premises and are complementary. VoLTE uses the operator’s 4G/5G mobile network and therefore requires the presence of this type of signal. Its strength is guaranteeing high-definition calls and simultaneous browsing while on the move. Wi-Fi Calling, on the other hand, relies on a Wi-Fi network and does not require a mobile signal. It is the ideal solution for indoor environments or areas where cellular coverage is critical. Essentially, VoLTE improves calls when there is reception, while Wi-Fi Calling makes them possible when there is no reception.
The Situation in Italy and Europe
In Italy, the adoption of VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling is constantly growing, albeit with different timelines compared to other European markets. Most national operators now offer the VoLTE service, which is often active by default on new compatible smartphones. For Wi-Fi Calling, the introduction is more recent, but major operators like TIM, WINDTRE, and Fastweb have launched their services, progressively expanding the list of compatible devices. This innovation fits perfectly with the Mediterranean culture and the characteristics of the Italian territory. Think of historic centers, with their palaces with thick walls, or taverns and cellars, places of conviviality where the signal struggles to reach. Wi-Fi Calling combines the tradition of these spaces with innovation, allowing you to always stay connected.
How to Activate VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling on Your Smartphone
Activating these functions is generally simple, but requires that both the telephone operator and the smartphone are compatible. In most cases, especially on recent models, VoLTE is already active by default. For Wi-Fi Calling, it may be necessary to enable an option in the device settings. On iPhone, for example, it is found in Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling. On Android, the path may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer, but it is usually found in Settings > Network & Internet (or Connections) > Mobile Networks. It is important to ensure that the phone software is always updated to the latest available version to be able to configure your smartphone correctly and take advantage of these technologies.
Conclusions
VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling are no longer just acronyms for insiders, but concrete technologies that improve the quality and reliability of our daily communications. They offer an effective answer to problems of weak signal and poor audio quality, ensuring clear and stable calls almost everywhere. VoLTE enhances the mobile experience on the 4G network, while Wi-Fi Calling extends coverage in otherwise unreachable places. Together, they represent the present and future of mobile telephony, combining innovation and practicality for a finally uninterrupted user experience. Checking the compatibility of your device and operator is the first step to taking advantage of these huge benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Simply put, VoLTE (Voice over LTE) uses the 4G/5G mobile network to make high-quality calls, while Wi-Fi Calling uses any available Wi-Fi network. Think of them as two alternative paths for your voice: the phone automatically chooses the best one. If you have a good 4G signal, you use VoLTE; if the mobile signal is weak or absent, such as in a cellar or a building with thick walls, but there is Wi-Fi, the call switches to that network without you noticing.
No, generally these technologies do not involve extra costs. Calls made via VoLTE or Wi-Fi Calling are billed according to your mobile plan, exactly like a normal phone call. They do not consume the Gigabytes of your subscription. Wi-Fi Calling uses the Wi-Fi network you are connected to, but data consumption is minimal and almost irrelevant. It is always good practice to check the specific conditions of your operator, but for most providers in Italy, the service is free.
It is very simple to recognize them. When you are on a call with VoLTE, you will see a specific icon appear in your smartphone’s status bar, usually the text «VoLTE» or an «HD» or «4G» symbol. For Wi-Fi Calling, the icon is typically that of a telephone handset with the Wi-Fi symbol next to it. These visual indicators confirm in real-time which technology you are using for your conversation.
Absolutely not. There is no need to download any application. Both VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling are native features, already integrated into your smartphone’s operating system. To use them, you just need to ensure you have a compatible phone, an offer from an operator that supports these services, and that the option is active in the phone settings, usually under the items «Mobile Network», «Connections», or «Phone».
Ideally, nothing drastic should happen. If your smartphone supports continuous switching between networks (a function called SRVCC for VoLTE), the call will be transferred without interruption from the Wi-Fi network to the 4G mobile network (if available), and vice versa. The goal of these technologies is precisely to ensure a fluid conversation without dropped lines, intelligently switching from one network to another to ensure the best possible quality at all times.
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